Hella Replacment Headlights

[brendog84cj8]

Alright guys I am looking to get rid of the sealed beam headlights on my 95.5 xcab taco. I was looking at these on the JC whitney site am not sure if they will fit. Will they, does anyone know? Or can someone point me in the right direction for a good deal on headlights to replace my sealed beams? Also does anyone know of good plastic covers to protect the glass on the headlights(1st generation headlights)? I always get little rock chip/holes and the lights get tons of moisture in them before the bulb ever goes bad.(dont want this to happen with aftermarket ones).
I searched and saw some links to ebay for possible headlights but still am not sure what to go with and where to get them for the best price.

Thanks for the help
Brendan Missoula Montana


http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...45000002003642

[TacoCrazy]

I did an H-4 Hella conversion to rid the sealed beams on my 97'..GREAT investment..Go to www.rallylights.com..Call them and get the conversion..I got 85w lo and 100w high Hella H-4's and they are awesome..Do it, you won't regret it..

[Alan11116]

I am pretty sure those are the ones I put in my '97 to replace the sealed beams. Relatively easy, too.

[brendog84cj8]

Thanks guys appreciate the response

[Dick Foster]

I have a 95.5. They fit right in and work well. Go for it.

[brendog84cj8]

thanks for the info on the lights guys!!

Does anyone know if there are any protective covers out there for these lights. I always get small holes from rock chips and they fill up with moisture. I dont want to spend the money for aftermarket ones and have this happen. Can anyone point me in the right direction for protective covers?

[TacoCrazy]

Originally Posted by brendog84cj8

thanks for the info on the lights guys!!

Does anyone know if there are any protective covers out there for these lights. I always get small holes from rock chips and they fill up with moisture. I dont want to spend the money for aftermarket ones and have this happen. Can anyone point me in the right direction for protective covers?

Ask the guys I gave you the info on..They may have a transparent film for them..It's like a 3 mil self stick film that helps with stone damage..

[wslytoy]

Originally Posted by brendog84cj8

Alright guys I am looking to get rid of the sealed beam headlights on my 95.5 xcab taco. I was looking at these on the JC whitney site am not sure if they will fit. Will they, does anyone know? Or can someone point me in the right direction for a good deal on headlights to replace my sealed beams? Also does anyone know of good plastic covers to protect the glass on the headlights(1st generation headlights)? I always get little rock chip/holes and the lights get tons of moisture in them before the bulb ever goes bad.(dont want this to happen with aftermarket ones).
I searched and saw some links to ebay for possible headlights but still am not sure what to go with and where to get them for the best price.

Thanks for the help
Brendan Missoula Montana


http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...45000002003642

you might wanna get the headlight harness kit from summitracing.com it's like $40 or something. Basically its rated higher and therefore you don't go thru H4 bulbs left and right. I've procrastinated doin it, but I've only been thru 2 sets so far. Yunny recommends it as well as other vets of TTORA. Peace, Wes

[Dick Foster]

Don't listen to Yunny about hardware related stuff. He is a software weenie. LOL

[TacoCrazy]

Originally Posted by wslytoy

you might wanna get the headlight harness kit from summitracing.com it's like $40 or something. Basically its rated higher and therefore you don't go thru H4 bulbs left and right. I've procrastinated doin it, but I've only been thru 2 sets so far. Yunny recommends it as well as other vets of TTORA. Peace, Wes

It's not absolutely necessary when you use a quality bulb, regardless if it's 55w or 100w. The key is how well the terminals in the bulb are insulated. Cheap bulbs have comprised insulation properties, therefore allowing excessive heat transfer to the harness..A quality bulb, like Hella for instance, have adequate insulation and protect the harness from the heat..So in other words, if he buys the Hella conversion, he'll be just fine like he is..I've had mine for more than 3 years without issue..

[brendog84cj8]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Now my decision is what Watt bulbs to get. I am really looking forward to getting rid of these crappy sealed beams.

[Dick Foster]

I suggest DOT legal wattages unless you intend to upgrade the wiring harness to a heavier gauge.

[brendog84cj8]

Originally Posted by Dick Foster

I suggest DOT legal wattages unless you intend to upgrade the wiring harness to a heavier gauge.

On the rallylights web site the ones I was considering were 100/55 or the 100/80. I did some searching for a few minutes and couldnt find exact info about what wattage is DOT approved. If you happen to know, that info would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[TacoCrazy]

Originally Posted by brendog84cj8

On the rallylights web site the ones I was considering were 100/55 or the 100/80. I did some searching for a few minutes and couldnt find exact info about what wattage is DOT approved. If you happen to know, that info would be much appreciated.

Thanks

I'm pretty sure it's 55w lo and 60w high..That's what's factory in most every thing on the road anyway..9003, 9004, 9005, 9006, 9007 H-3, H-4, and H-7 bulbs are all 55 watt low..

[Dick Foster]

That should be OK with stock wiring and relays.

[brendog84cj8]

Originally Posted by TacoCrazy

I'm pretty sure it's 55w lo and 60w high..That's what's factory in most every thing on the road anyway..9003, 9004, 9005, 9006, 9007 H-3, H-4, and H-7 bulbs are all 55 watt low..

Thanks. Think I will try the 55 lo and 100 high and see how that works. Will just have to be extra careful to kill the highbeams in a hurry so I dont blind oncomming traffic. Appreciate all the help guys.

[Dick Foster]

100W is too much for the stock wiring, switches etc. You could wind up burning your shit. You' will at least blow the stock fuse and that will be a message that you should pay heed to.

[brendog84cj8]

Originally Posted by Dick Foster

100W is too much for the stock wiring, switches etc. You could wind up burning your shit. You' will at least blow the stock fuse and that will be a message that you should pay heed to.

Message noted. On this web site there is a bunch of Headlamp wiring harnesses. Is this what I would need to purchase to run a 100 watt high beam? Also It mentions "switched ground" and I really dont know what that means and if these are the types of harnesses I would need I am not sure what specific one to get. Last thing I want to do is fry anything(already did that with my cruise control,electrical mistakes suck!!).

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/wiring_harnesses.asp

[Dick Foster]

Tacoma's use a switched ground in the steering column. You would have to run some relays that are rated for the higher current in addition to heavier gauge wire. I think you'd be better off with DOT legal headlights and some seperate driving lights for when you get out on the highway at night. A good set of pencil beam lamps would do more good up there in the wilds of Montana at night. They have a lot more reach than 100W standard high beams. A good set will come with the proper harness, relays etc.

[brendog84cj8]

Originally Posted by Dick Foster

Tacoma's use a switched ground in the steering column. You would have to run some relays that are rated for the higher current in addition to heavier gauge wire. I think you'd be better off with DOT legal headlights and some seperate driving lights for when you get out on the highway at night. A good set of pencil beam lamps would do more good up there in the wilds of Montana at night. They have a lot more reach than 100W standard high beams. A good set will come with the proper harness, relays etc.

Point taken. I for sure dont want to have any issues with the wiring with a 100watt bulb. Yea I need to get a winch bumper for those pencil beams to mount to!!. The list of mods just never ends. Thanks for all the help on this issue.

[Dick Foster]

I think I've seen some light bars that will work with your stock bumper. Then again it's not much of a bumper anyway so just go ahead and drill some holes in that sucker. It is your truck.

[wslytoy]

Originally Posted by Dick Foster

Don't listen to Yunny about hardware related stuff. He is a software weenie. LOL

lol, very good point!

[brendog84cj8]

Just wanted to thank you guys for the help with the headlight choice. It took me a while to get them ordered but I did it this morning. Talked with the guys from rallylights.com and ordered these: Part # H6054G Kit with 60/55w Xenon +50% H4 Bulbs. Hope they work out well. I just hope I dont get the small rock chip holes like my sealed beams get. The light they put out just sucks once they are filled with moisture. I talked with guys I ordered the lights from and they didnt sell anything to protect the glass. Again thanks for the help.

[appa]

I did the Hella headlight conversion on my truck 3 years ago and no rock chips yet. I also mounted a set of hella 550 driving lights to the bumper for night driving wired them up to my high beams.